The end goal for every business operating today is to make sales through highly effective marketing strategies. Businesses tend to focus on digital marketing for it has many benefits, including measurable, trackable campaign results, more opportunities for personalisation and increased reach. Some have been bold enough to proclaim that digital marketing is the be-all and end-all and that there is no need to explore print marketing strategies. But this simply isn’t the case. Print marketing still has an essential function in marketing strategies. Businesses that ignore the benefits of print marketing, including using booklets in their strategy, do so to their own detriment.
What is Print Marketing?
Print marketing is any form of marketing that uses printed media to reach target audiences. Since its invention, printing marketing has evolved considerably. Today, print marketing activities boost revenue by bringing businesses to consumers’ attention.
Print marketing has numerous benefits:
Consumer Trust
Consumers generally trust print marketing. In fact, 56 per cent of customers trust print marketing more than other types of marketing. Furthermore, while digital marketing activities get ads in front of consumers, they don’t necessarily trust what they are seeing. This is certainly the case when it comes to social media advertisements, as a study by YouGov found that only one in ten British people trust social media advertising.
Brand Awareness
Businesses can significantly increase brand awareness by utilising print marketing strategies, such as having booklets, leaflets, and newsletters printed. Often, print marketing materials create a more powerful emotional response from consumers because it activates the part of the brain that processes visual information. As a result, those reading your printed marketing materials are more likely to feel connected with your business than if they saw a digital advertisement.
Brand Recall
Several studies have found that consumers find it easier to absorb marketing messages in printed marketing materials compared to digital marketing activities. Researchers found that digital advertisements were harder for consumers to process. Plus, consumers typically spend longer looking at a printed ad than a digital one, meaning they are more likely to be able to recall your business.
Cost-effectiveness
While digital advertisements are a great way to target consumers, they are expensive. Unfortunately, the cost of digital ads continues to increase. As more companies choose to use platforms such as Facebook and Instagram to sell their products and services, the price of ads is climbing. On the other hand, printed marketing materials, such as booklets, cost relatively little per copy. Businesses can benefit from a bulk order discount if they order thousands of copies in a single order.
What are Booklets?
Booklets, sometimes called catalogues, brochures or handouts, are small books, typically with paper covers. They are available in various shapes and sizes and usually have a relatively low page count, somewhere between eight and 36 pages. Booklets are commonly staple bound, a method that involves stapling the booklet together on the fold of the pages. Booklets are an excellent way to communicate marketing messages to target audiences. Businesses use booklets as product catalogues, event programs, business reports, training manuals, staff handbooks and more.
How to Print a Booklet
Getting a booklet printed has never been easier, as there are dozens of reputable online booklet printing services to choose from that offer a variety of customisation options. There’s no need to visit a printing shop; you can simply place your order online in minutes. Before you can place an order, you need to choose your booklet’s size, paper type, paper weight, binding and orientation.
Printed booklets are available to order in various sizes, including but not limited to A4 through to A7 and several square sizes. Furthermore, many online booklet printing services allow you to print your booklet in a custom size if necessary. In terms of binding, there are a few options available to you. Most booklets are staple bound as this is a cost-effective method for booklets with a relatively low page count. Alternatively, if your booklet has many pages, wiro binding is better as it will keep your booklet intact for longer. However, wiro binding does cost more than staple binding.
Booklets can be printed in either a landscape or portrait orientation, and customers can choose from various paper types, including silk, gloss, uncoated, natural and recycled paper. In terms of paper weight, thicker paper is preferable to reduce the likelihood of the paper ripping. Online printing services offer a range of paperweights for you to choose from, usually ranging from 90 gsm to 200 gsm.
Is Print Marketing Still Effective in 2022?
So, is print marketing still an effective strategy in 2022? The answer is yes, but it should be implemented alongside digital marketing activities. While digital marketing activities are measurable and provide increased reach, print marketing activities help to boost brand awareness and connect with a target audience on a personal level.
